Hot-blast cupola



1929- w. b. MOORE 1,740,900

HOT BLAST CUPOLA Filed Nov. 15. 1927 k v w Q INVENTOR g Mum a Mao 5 Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM D. MOORE, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABALIA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAST IRON PIPE 00., F BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF GEORGIA HOT-BLAST CUPOLA Application filed November 15, 1927. Serial No. 233,381.

This invention is an improvement in hot blast cupolas, and more particularly in cupolas of the sectional type.

The body of the usual cupola is composed of a shell of metal, and a lining of refractory material, the shell eing an integral structure. lVhere apparatus is provided for circulating air, it is usually arranged to conduct the air circumferentially of the cupola. TVhen 19 the body is sectional, the sections are usually circular, each being a complete ring, and they are interconnected to enable the circulation of air.

In order to remove and replace a section,

15 a zone of the cupola must be removed, leav- 30 lation of the air includes means to agitate and thoroughly mix the air durin its passage from the bustle pipe to the tuyeres.

Another object is the provision in such a cupola of a construction enabling economical 5 installation, and economical repair and replacement.

In the drawings forming a part hereof Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a part of the improved cupola.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the sectional portion, with a part in section.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one of the sections with a part of the outer wall removed.

In the present embodiment of the inven 5 tion, the cupola includes the usual base, composed of a lining 1 of refractory material, and a shell 2 of metal. The tuyeres open at the base, each being composed of an inner section 3 and an outer section 4:, the inner section being within the shell as shown, while the outer section is secured thereto in any suitable manner. Above the base the cupola body is composed of a plurality of sections arranged in annular formation and resting upon the base.

Each of the sections consists of a box like structure 5, of suitable height, and curved transversely on the radius of the cupola, the inner and outer or curved walls 6 and 7 being parallel, as are also the side walls 8. The sections are arranged as shown in Fig. 2, with the ends of the inner walls 6 abutting, and with -a triangular space between adjacent side walls 8 of the adjacent sections.

Each section 5 has an opening 9 at its top, and another opening 10 at its bottom, the said openings being in the external wall 7 as shown. The opening 9 of each section is connected by a pipe 11 with the bustle pipe 12 to which air is delivered by the blowers in the usual manner. Each opening 10 is connected by a pipe 13 with the outer section 4 of a tuyere, the arrangement being such that air from the bustle pipe circulates through the pipes 11, through the sections, and through the pipe 13 to the tuyeres.

In order to provide for a thorough agitation of the air, the inner and outer walls 6 and 7 of the sections are provided with baffies. The inner wall has vertical ribs 1 1 spaced apart from each other, and from the side walls 8, and the vertical ribs are intersected by horizontal ribs at suitable intervals. The ribs 14 and 15 are of a height corresponding to approximately one-half the radial width of the sections, and the outer wall 7 is provided with transverse ribs 16 at suitable intervals, the said ribs alternating with the horizontal ribs 15 of the inner wall. Thus a very thorough agitation of the air circulating through the sections is provided for, before it passes into the pipes 18 and the tuyeres.

The cupola is completed by the usual top indicated generally at 17 upon which rests the charging door-sill 18, and it has the usual stack or chimney not shown. Each of the openings 9 and 10 is encircled by a nipple, indicated for the two openings at 19, and about each opening radial sockets 20 are provided for bolt heads, to connect the pipes 11 and 13 with the sections 5.

In operation, with the cupola charged, air is supplied by the blowers to the bustle pipe, and from thence circulates by way of the pipes 11, the sections, and the pipes 13 to the tuyeres. In its passage through the sections, the air is thoroughly agitated, and is delivered to the tuyeres in a uniformly heated condition.

In the present construction, any section, if desired, may be easily removed and replaced by another, without destroying the continuity of the cupola in its vertical dimension. That is, the upper part of the cupola has sufficient support on the base during the removal of any section, through the remaining sections.

' What is claimed as new is 1. In cupola construction, a body com posed of hollow or chambered sections arranged alongside each other with their side edges abutting, each section having openings in its outer wall at its upper and lower ends, a bustle pipe encircling the sections, connections between said pipe and the upper end openings, the lower end openings adapted for connection with the tuyeres.

2. In cupola construction, a body com posed of ho llow or chambered sections curved transversely and arranged alongside each other with their side edges abutting, each section having openings in its outer wall at its upper and lower ends, a bustle pipe encircling the sections, connections between I said pipe and the upper end openings, the

lower end openings adapted for connection with the tuyeres, each section having on its inner wall transverse and vertical intersecting baflies,'and having battles on its outer wall.

3, In cupola construction, a body composed of similar integral transversely curved hollow sections arranged with their side edges abutting, each section having openings positioned to enable circulation of air vertically through the section, and having means to agitate and mix the air.

"4. In cupola construction, a body composed of similar integral transversely curved hollow sections arranged with their side edges abutting, each section having openings positioned to enable circulation of air vertically through the section, and having means to agitate and mix the air, each section hav ing means to independently connect the same to a bustle pipe and to a tuyere.

5. In cupolaconstruction, a body composed of similar integral transversely curved hollow sections arranged with their side edges abutting, each section having openings positioned to enable circulation of air vertically through the section in proximity to the inner wall thereof, and means to constrain the air to follow a sinuous course through the section.

6. In cupola construction, a body composed of similar independent vertically eX- tending transversely curved hollow sections arranged with their side edges abutting, each having means toindependently connect the same to a bustle pipe and to a tuyere to conduct air through the section from a blower to the cupola, and means in each section to constrain the air to follow a sinuous course.

7. In cupola construction, a body composed of similar independent vertically eX- tending transversely curved hollow sections arranged with their side edges abutting, each having means to independently connect the same to a bustle pipe and to a tuyereto conduct air through the section from a blower to the cupola, said means including bafiles on the inner and outer faces of the inner and outer walls, sundry of the baffles on the two walls alternating.

Signed at Birmingham in the county of Jefferson, and State of Alabama this 10th day of November, A. D. 1927.

WILLIAM D. MOORE. 

